"The IB program is a demanding pre-university course of study that is designed for highly motivated students aged 16 to 19.  The program has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment, giving IB diploma holders access to the world's leading universities.  The program goal is to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, make wise choices, and respect others in the global community.  The program has the strengths of a traditional liberal arts curriculum, but with three additional features including an extended essay, Theory of Knowledge, and a community service component.  Together, the program equips students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment."  Reprinted from the IB website www.ibo.org.

Students who matriculate from the IB program will also have increased opportunities for higher education.  Research from the IBO illustrates the increased college acceptance rates for IB students.  For example, the average MIT acceptance rate last year was 17%, whereas IB students were accepted at a 42% rate.  Similarly, Johns Hopkins reported that 33% of students were accepted to their program, and 83% of IB students were accepted.  University of Pennsylvania also reported a 22% average acceptance rate compared to a 58% IB acceptance rate.

The IB Diploma program has the strengths of a traditional and broad curriculum, but with three important additional features, shown at the center of the hexagonal curriculum model.  The IB Diploma program consists of six academic subjects as follows:

*chart reprinted from the IB website at www.ibo.org